Keyboard Shortcuts TB

Keyboard shortcuts are quick key combinations that replace mouse navigation. For example, rather than using the mouse to navigate the menu structure to archive a message, you can simply strike the "A" key while a message is highlighted in the message list.

About keyboard shortcuts

In Thunderbird, keyboard shortcuts are context sensitive. That is, they vary according to the area of the Thunderbird interface that is currently "active". For example, when a message is selected in the message list, the Cut, Copy and Paste keyboard shortcuts are disabled (because it doesn't make sense to cut and paste text into the message list). Similarly, if you select text while you are reading a message, the Copy shortcut is available, but not the Cut or Paste shortcuts (because while it makes sense to copy text from a message you are reading, it doesn't make sense to paste text into or cut text from a message you are reading).

Sometimes the keyboard shortcut functions themselves vary depending on the part of the Thunderbird interface that is active. For example, if you are writing a message, the Ctrl + ACommand + A keyboard shortcut selects all the text in the message. However, if a message is highlighted in the message list, Ctrl + ACommand + A selects all the messages in the message list.

Shortcut keys and operating systems

On Windows and Linux, the shortcut accelerator key is usually the Ctrl key

On Mac OS X, the shortcut accelerator key is usually the Command key

On Mac OS X laptops, you must hold down the fn key to enable a function key

Customizing keyboard shortcuts

The Keyconfig addon (right-click here to download) allows you to configure keyboard shortcuts. (Note that third-party addons are not supported or endorsed by Mozilla.)

List of keyboard shortcuts

Please use the Help with... selector on the right to choose your operating system and your version of Thunderbird. Only the keyboard shortcuts which apply to your choice will be shown.

Hold Shift while clicking any one of these buttons:Write, Reply, Reply All, Reply List, or Forward;orRight-click existing message, then hold Shift while choosing any one of the following from the context menu:Reply to Sender Only, Reply to All, Reply to List, or Forward.

Select the first message of your intended selection, and theneitherShift + Click on the last message of your selection,or hold Shift while using any of the following movement keys to expand your selection: ↓, ↑, Page Down, Page Up, End, or Home.

Select multiple non-adjacent messages(several separate messages)

Select any message of your intended selection, and theneitherCtrl + Click on each message that you want to add to your selection,or hold Ctrl while using any of the movement keys listed below and then pressing Space on each message that you want to add to your selection. The movement keys are ↓, ↑, Page Down, Page Up, End, or Home.

Select any message of your intended selection, and thenCtrl + Click on each message that you want to add to your selection.

Select any message of your intended selection, and thenCommand + Click on each message that you want to add to your selection.